Family-owned chimney chase repair in Dr. Phillips

Where water gets into a framed chase

Rot inside a chase traces back to a water path. Finding every path matters more than the size of the stain, because a repair that closes one route and leaves another open will be wet again after the next hard rain.

Each path gets checked during the free inspection on your Dr. Phillips home, and each one gets its own note in the written estimate. That way you can see which line closes the leak and which line repairs the damage the water caused. Wind direction matters too, since the face that takes the weather tends to leak first. These are the routes our technicians trace.

• A failed metal cover that lets rain run down the inside
• Open butt joints and split boards on the walls
• Gaps at corner boards, trim and the seam with the house
• Roof-line flashing that is missing, bent or lapped backwards

Soft studs and plates inside the chase

Studs and plates are the bones of a chase. Rot in framing tends to start at the ends, where end grain drinks water, so the bottom plate, the lower ends of the studs and the top plate are the places to check first. Corners matter too, since two walls share the corner studs and both drain toward them.

A stud that takes a probe easily, feels spongy or crumbles in hand has lost its strength. Several soft studs in one corner can let the chase sag or twist, which opens the siding joints and lets in even more water. A soft top plate also lets the cover settle.

Our crew in Dr. Phillips replaces rotted plates and studs with new lumber, or sisters sound new wood alongside where the old stud is damaged at one end only. We tell you which method fits each stud, and why, before the wall is closed.

Repairing the chase or rebuilding it

Many chases can be repaired section by section. A full chimney chase rebuild makes more sense when rot runs through most of the framing, the chase is out of plumb, the finish is failing on every face or you want to change the size or finish anyway.

A rebuild strips the chase down to the chimney pipe, replaces the framing and sheathing, and finishes the box new. It also resets the flashing, the barrier and the top framing, which a patch cannot always reach. A rebuild also lets the new framing be laid out cleanly around the pipe, with every clearance, support and shield set fresh.

Our technicians price both options when both are reasonable, so you can compare. We tell you plainly when a repair would only buy a short time, and when a rebuild is more than you need. Either way, the choice is yours, made with both prices in hand.

Leaving the fireplace off while the chase is open

While a chase is open, the fireplace below it should not be used. Shields and firestops may be off, the air space is disturbed while framing is replaced and the chimney top may be uncovered. A tag on the fireplace is a simple reminder for everyone in the house.

The same goes for the time between finding serious damage and fixing it. A chase with charred framing, a shifted pipe or a missing shield should not see another fire until it is repaired. Heat from a fire rises straight into the top of the chase, which is the part most likely to be open or missing its shields during the job.

Our crew tells you when the fireplace in your Dr. Phillips home can be used again, which is after the chase is closed, the listed parts are back in place and the top is sealed. Until then, leave the tag on.